Simple Tips for Local Businesses to Recycle

As a local business, one of the unpleasant yet administrative tasks you will have to deal with is recycling. Whether you are disposing of a chemical or something as simple as the trash in the garbage bin of an office cubicle, you are disposing of waste every single day. Waste is produced, and it must go somewhere. What you may not know is that there is a right way and a wrong way to recycle. Recycle the wrong way, and you might find yourself paying more money than necessary to dispose of it.

Now that going green is the latest business move toward an increased consumer base and higher profits, there has been a sharp increase in the interest toward responsible recycling practices. A local business might not know where to start when it comes to going green, as there are multiple avenues. However, recycling is one of the easiest ways to get a head start, and it will create the momentum necessary to tackle other green initiatives. Here are some simple tips that local businesses can use to start recycling right away.

Keep Separate Bins for Aluminum, Plastics, and Glass

Starting to recycle does not have to be a complicated process. It can be as simple as having clearly defined baskets, each holding a specific type of waste. By doing this, you are making it easier for recycling companies to re-use materials and produce new things. It also makes it far easier to dispose of your trash – instead of having to lug around several heavy bags, you only have to take care of a few small ones. It’s easy, efficient, and effective.

Believe it or not, there are individuals that are making a profit out of starting their own businesses that do nothing more than recycle and resell waste materials.

Transition Toward a Zero-to-Landfill System

No matter how diligent you are with a recycling program, you are always going to have some waste that will go directly to the landfill. A smart idea would be to sign up with a provider that provides the option for having your waste incinerated. The benefits of this option include a lower amount of land taken up by landfill and greater electricity production.

Opt for Digital Solutions

Sometimes, the best way to recycle is to reduce the amount of waste that you are producing in the first place. Most businesses tend to use an excessive amount of paper in the form of memos, written documents, and miscellaneous printouts that we believe will be important in the near future. This can be fixed by opting for a solution that scans papers and saves them as electronic documents. In addition to this, you can also type out your meeting notes on the computer and keep memos within an email chain to keep everyone on track.

Use Environmentally-Friendly Products

Some products have a bio-degradable version that is safer for the environment and easier to recycle. If you are shipping out materials overseas, some businesses offer storage containers that are designed to withstand extreme conditions and prevent leakage of any harmful chemicals. You will be able to spot these solutions easily because they will come with a special label that specifies how their product is environment-friendly.

Use Energy-Efficient Electronics

If you are using an outdated light bulb, you will be surprised to learn that you are consuming far more electrical energy than necessary. Many companies are producing special light bulbs and electronics that are designed to operate efficiently by using less electricity. They might be pricier than what you are currently paying for, but they do not need to be replaced as often, and you will be able to save money on your energy bill.

Get Your Team on Board

A business can only have a significant impact on recycling if everybody is on board. One person’s good intentions simply won’t be enough to fix the waste problem that currently exists. However, in order to do this, there needs to be some kind of initiative in place. Employees are far more motivated to participate when there is a clearly defined benefit that they can achieve.

For example, you could offer a monthly reward to the person who brings the least amount of trash to work. You could also have a team goal where the total sum of trash is no higher than a pre-defined amount. Get creative!

As you can see, recycling does not have to be a complicated process for local businesses. All you have to do is identify the few actions that will make the biggest difference, and do them consistently over a long period of time. Once you set the example, other businesses around you might be motivated to do the same.